Shloka 63

Sanatsujāta–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Saṃvāda: Pramāda as Mṛtyu

Chapter 42

Devanagari script

धर्मादिषु स्थितो<प्येवं क्षत्रिय ब्रह्म पश्यति । वेदानां चानुपूर्व्येण एतद्‌ बुद्धया ब्रवीमि ते

Transliteration

dharmādiṣu sthito 'py evaṁ kṣatriya brahma paśyati | vedānāṁ cānupūrvyena etad buddhayā bravīmi te, rājan |

Translation

Sanatsujāta said: “O Kṣatriya, even while remaining established in dharma and the other disciplines, one may behold Brahman. Likewise, by studying the Vedas in their proper sequence and method, a person comes to the same direct realization of the Supreme. Having ascertained this with my own understanding, O King, I declare it to you.”

Word by Word

• {'dharma-ādiṣu': 'in dharma and the rest (other prescribed virtues/disciplines)', 'sthitaḥ api': 'even though established/steadfast', 'evaṁ': 'thus, in this manner', 'kṣatriya': 'O Kshatriya (warrior-ruler

• vocative address)', 'brahma': 'Brahman

• the Supreme Reality', 'paśyati': 'sees, beholds, realizes directly', 'vedānām': 'of the Vedas', 'ca': 'and, also', 'anupūrvyena': 'in due order/sequence

• methodically', 'etat': 'this (teaching/conclusion)', 'buddhayā': 'by (my) intellect/understanding

• with discernment', 'bravīmi': 'I speak, I declare', 'te': 'to you', 'rājan': 'O King'}

Speaker

सनत्युजात उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanatsujāta
• King (Dhṛtarāṣṭra, implied addressee)
• Kṣatriya (addressed)
• Brahman
• Vedas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Sanatsujāta teaches that direct realization of Brahman is attainable not only through steadfastness in dharma and allied disciplines, but also through proper, sequential study of the Vedas; both can culminate in the same spiritual vision when guided by discernment.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Sanatsujātīya section of Udyoga Parva, the sage Sanatsujāta instructs the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) on higher spiritual knowledge; here he assures the ruler that ethical steadiness and disciplined Vedic learning can lead to the direct ‘seeing’ of Brahman.